PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — In a game defined by dramatic momentum swings and a frantic final sequence, the Pittsburgh Panthers outlasted the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 80-76 in overtime Tuesday night in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball clash at Petersen Events Center.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 4,970, saw Wake Forest squander a 13-point first-half lead before rallying from a late deficit to force the extra period, only for Pittsburgh to make the decisive plays in the final minute of overtime to secure the victory.

Wake Forest, the visiting team, controlled the early action, using an 11-0 run to build a 36-23 lead late in the first half. The Demon Deacons’ offense flowed through early contributors Nate Calmese and Juke Harris, while their defense disrupted Pittsburgh’s rhythm. The Panthers, however, closed the half on a 7-0 spurt, capped by a Nojus Indrusaitis three-pointer at the buzzer, to trim the deficit to 36-30 and gain crucial momentum.

That energy carried into the second half, where Pittsburgh completely flipped the script. The Panthers opened the period with a 25-9 run, transforming their six-point halftime deficit into a 55-45 lead. The surge was fueled by balanced scoring, with Brandin Cummings, Barry Dunning and Omari Witherspoon all making key contributions. Wake Forest appeared staggered, struggling to handle Pittsburgh’s increased defensive pressure and offensive execution.

But the Demon Deacons, demonstrating the resilience that has marked their season, refused to fold. They chipped away at the Panther advantage, methodically working the margin down. With their season hanging in the balance, they executed a critical final possession in regulation. Trailing 66-64 with under 10 seconds to play, Wake Forest’s Juke Harris drove for a potential tying layup, but his attempt was blocked by Witherspoon. Pittsburgh’s Cameron Corhen secured the defensive rebound, seemingly sealing the game, but the Panthers failed to inbound the ball successfully against a trapping Wake Forest defense, turning it over with 3.9 seconds left.

Given a final chance, Wake Forest’s Sebastian Akins inbounded to Harris, whose second attempt in the closing seconds was again altered by Witherspoon. The ball fell to Corhen as time expired, sending the game to overtime tied at 66.

In the extra period, Pittsburgh struck first with a Roman Siulepa three-pointer. Wake Forest answered, taking a brief 74-71 lead after a Myles Colvin three-pointer. The game then turned on a critical sequence with just over a minute left. With Pittsburgh leading 75-74, Wake Forest’s Sebastian Akins saw his three-point attempt blocked by Witherspoon. On the ensuing possession, Witherspoon delivered the dagger, hitting a stepback jumper to push the Panther lead to 77-74 with 15 seconds remaining.

Wake Forest’s ensuing attempt to tie was a rushed, off-balance three from Colvin that missed. Pittsburgh’s Witherspoon secured the defensive rebound and was fouled, sinking two free throws with six seconds left to effectively put the game out of reach at 79-74. A final turnover by Wake Forest led to one more free throw for Pittsburgh to set the final margin.

The most important part of the game was unquestionably the closing sequence of regulation and the pivotal block in overtime. Pittsburgh’s failure to inbound the ball and subsequent turnover gifted Wake Forest a lifeline it had no business receiving, allowing the Demon Deacons to force overtime. In the extra period, Omari Witherspoon’s defensive play—blocking Akins’ three-point attempt with his team up one—was the game’s defining moment. It preserved the lead and led directly to his own clutch jumper on the other end, a sequence that encapsulated the Panthers’ ability to make winning plays when it mattered most.

Witherspoon, a guard from Bowie, Maryland, led Pittsburgh with 13 points, four assists and two blocks, with his most critical contributions coming on defense in the final minute. For Wake Forest, Myles Colvin of Indianapolis led all scorers with 18 points in 42 minutes, while Juke Harris of Salisbury, North Carolina, added 17. Sebastian Akins of Concord, North Carolina, chipped in 10 points and three assists.

With the win, Pittsburgh improves to 9-12 overall. Wake Forest falls to 11-10. Both teams return to ACC action on Saturday, with Pittsburgh traveling to face Clemson and Wake Forest hosting North Carolina State.